Bassinet



C. F. JENNE BASSINET Filed May 14 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR flag fii Jenzrw M r" /xi ATTORNEYS Feb. 14, 1933. F JENNE 1,897,258

BASSINET Filed May 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Gang $3 (12973-228 Q/ZWM W ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 14, 1933 PATENT OFFIC CARL F. JENNE, OF GABNATION, WASHINGTON BASSINET Application filed May 14,

My present invention relates to that class of devices that are used in taking care of infants and which is more specifically described as a bassinet.

In recent years it has been quite universally advised by physicians that sun bathing is very beneficial and particularly for infants. It is, therefore, the purpose of my invention to supply a device that will facilitate giving sun baths to infants.

It has been quite common practice to use the large wood veneer baskets for this purpose. There are many reasons for this, the baskets are light and easy to handle, are of a very suitable size and are so clean that they can be used without danger. The solid walls of these baskets keep the wind off the infant inside of it and as a result they are used in large numbers.

Parents, however, object to setting the basket on the ground as then it is within easy reach of passing dogs, cats and vermin. Many people have used supporting means for the baskets to elevate them sufiiciently to 5 overcome this condition, however, it has been found that almost any supporting device that may be used is quite heavy and as the parent must be constantly changing the position of the device a need has developed for a device which will support the basket as described, and which will be light enough so the mother or even a girl can easily move the bassinet about. I believe my device as illustrated solves this problem therefore:

The principal object of my invention is to provide a bassinet that is light in weight so that it may be easily moved by one of moderate strength.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described which is unusually strong and secure for its weight.

A further object is to provide a device which is so constructed that it will yield rather than break when subjected to unusual strains or shocks.

A still further object is to provide a yielding structure which can be very easily swept under when used in a home.

Other and more specific objects'will be apparent from the following description taken 1930. Serial No. 452,408.

in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: p

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of my device.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 83 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line t4 of Figure 2 looking 9 upwardly.

Referring to the drawings throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts, B designates a large wood veneer basket of the type usually sold as clothes baskets. This has the usual reinforcing bands as 6 and 8, and the usual handles secured to these bands as 10 and 12.

Basket B rests upon a horizontally disposed support member 14 which is included between two upright standards 16 and 18. Secured at its opposite ends to standards 16 and 18 respectively is a resilient spring member 20; the exact manner of securing is a matter of choice, screws as indicated are quite satisfactory. While this member might be of any suitable material I have found that the springy hard woods, such as oak, hickory or the like are the most satisfactory. This is bowed so as to engage the support member 14: at 22, and thus prevent member 14 from sagging at its centre, when an infant is placed in the basket. The length of member 14L is usually not over three feet, and it would seem that not much deflection should be obtained, however, I have found that my device must be constructed of light woods of limited cross-section in order to keep the total weight at a minimum, and that trussing must be resorted to to obtain this result.

The upright members 16 and 18 are fixedly secured to the upper supporting band 8 of basket B at 24 and 26 respectively. I prefer not to fixedly secure member 14 to the supporting standards, except to lightly nail the same, as by so doing 1 would destroy the flexibility which I have found so desirable. I have, therefore, provided rests for each end of member 14, which are secured to members 100 16 and 18. The most convenient form of rest I have found are simple screw eyes as indicated at 28 and 30. These can easily be of ample strength to support member 14 and at the same time form a fastening to which I secure tension wires 32 and 34. In order to get sufi'icient tension on these wires it has been found convenient to twist them together at 22. This serves a dual function. It tight ens the wires thereby securing support member 14 in position and also, as'can be observed by studying Figures 2 and 4, secures member 20 against lateral displacement. The lower ends of standards 16 and 18 may be provided with anydesired-type of footing. I have illustrated the foot members 36 and38 into which members 16-and 18 respectively are mortised. I have provided at "the opposite ends of the foot members castors 40. Many other devices, however, might be used in place of foot members indicated, for instance, rockers of suitable length might be so used. 1

If a bassinet is carefully made in view of my teachings it will be sufficiently light that most anyone can easily pick up the same and carry it about. This is particularly-desirable in households where quite often young girls are used to take care of the infants, and it is very essential that the construction be made sufficiently light that it can be easily carried up and down stepsand over obstructions. I have found that the resilient member 20 serves a still further purpose. If a device ofthis character is made sufficiently light, but is of rigid construction it will be very easily broken, if, for instance, 'itis pushed "with any speed against an obstruction. 'With my device, however, the springmember 20 and the flexible manner in which member I 14 is supported and the flexibility of the basket itself enablesmy devic'eto yield, and it is thus enabled to absorb shocks, with no ill efiect to the infant transported, which might easily break a more rigid construction 7 even though it were much heavier.

Ihave further found it very desirable to keep the space under basket B and between the upright standardsas open as possible. This enables the placing of the device in many places where, for instance a boxlike construction could not be made to fit firmly to the ground. It also is very desirable in the house. First, it permits sweeping thereunder, but chiefly it enables the device to be wheeled over the lap of a seated person. 'This is a great convenience, when caring for an infant.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the. invention may be made as are fairly within'the scope and spirit of the following claims:

WhatI claim is:

1. A bassinet consisting of a yieldable basket-like receptacle; upright supporting standards disposed one at each en-d of said receptacle and each fixedly secured to it at one point above its horizontal. axis; a horizontal compression member disposed between said standards to spacethem and adaptedto support the receptacle when the receptacle is deformed by a weight placed therein; a resilient truss member fixedly secured at its opposite ends to the standards below the compression member and bowed upwardly to engage the under side of the compression member, and tension means -yieldably securing .saidstandards in engagement withsaid compression member.

2. A bassinet consisting of a yieldable basket-like receptacle; two upright supporting standards, said receptacle and: each fixedly secured to it at onepoint above. its center ofbalance; a horizontal compression member disposed between the standardsto space them and adapted to receptacle is therein; a resilient truss member fixedly securedat its opposite ends to the standards below the compression member and bowed upwardly to engage the, under side of said' compression .member horizontal spaced tension members, disposed one ongeach-side of the truss member, secured at theirjopposite ends to said standards, and tightened by twisting the same together under the portion of the trussmember in a manner to form We extending in both direct-ions from the. twisted portion, the: Vs thus. produced, enclosing the truss member and securing the same, against lateral displacement, and the-- compression pressure thus created yieldably securing sald standards in engagement with .said compression member.

3. A bassinet consisting of a yieldable basket-like receptacle; two upright supporting standards,.disposed ne at each end of said receptacle and each fixedly secured to it at onepoint above-its center of balance; a horizontal compression member disposed between the standards to space them and adapted to support the receptacle whenthe receptacle is deformed-by a weight placed therein; rests secured to said standard and providing a support for the opposite ends of said compression member; a resilient trussvmember fixedly secured at its opposite ends to the standards below. the compression member and bowed upwardlyto engage the under side ofsaid compression member horizontal spaced tension members, disposedone on each side of the truss member, secured'at their opposite ends tosaidirests, and tightened by twisting the sametogether under the bowed portionof the truss member in a manner to qform 5 Vs extending in; b th "directions from disposed one at each-end Of'c pp he. receptacle when the deformed by a Weight.placedv bowed the twisted portion, the Vs thus produced, enclosing the truss member and securing the same against lateral displacement and the compression pressure thus created yieldably securing said standards in engagement with said compression member.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of May A. D. 1930. CARL F. JENNE. 

